scholarly journals Immigration and Gender as Social Determinants of Mental Health during the COVID-19 Outbreak: The Case of US Latina/os

Author(s):  
Barbara Gomez-Aguinaga ◽  
Melanie Sayuri Dominguez ◽  
Sylvia Manzano

While men and women make up a similar number of COVID-19 cases, and are equally likely to know someone who has become ill due to the virus, the gendered and systemic implications of immigration during public health emergencies among minority groups in the United States are empirically underexplored. Using the SOMOS COVID-19 Crisis National Latino Survey, we conduct a series of intersectional analyses to understand the extent to which personal experiences with COVID-19, gendered structural factors, and spillover effects of US immigration policies impact the mental health of US Latina/os during a public health emergency. The results show that among Latinas, knowing an undocumented immigrant and someone ill with COVID-19 increases the probability of reporting worse mental outcomes by 52 percent. Furthermore, being a woman increases the probability of reporting the highest level of mental health problems by 30 percent among Hispanic people who know someone with COVID-19 and an undocumented immigrant. These findings indicate that the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak among US Latinas and Latinos are entrenched in gendered and systemic inequalities.

Author(s):  
Molly Silvestrini ◽  
Colleen C. Hoff ◽  
Y. Darin Witkovic ◽  
Crystal Madriles

HIV/AIDS is a disease that significantly affects the health outcomes of sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) and the LGBTQ community globally. HIV is frequently associated with mental health issues among many vulnerable populations, such as depression, anxiety, stigma, substance abuse, and discrimination. In addition, risk factors for HIV acquisition often include mental health problems, lack of social support, and experiences of stigma and discrimination. This chapter focuses on the history of HIV/AIDS, current HIV health disparities in SGM communities in the United States and globally, mental health among HIV-positive vulnerable and understudied populations, and future directions for the improvement of HIV prevention programs and mental health interventions. Understudied populations include women who have sex with women, transgender men, and SGM belonging to racial and ethnic minority groups. This chapter aims to summarize the interaction of HIV/AIDS and mental health over the past two decades in order to demonstrate the importance of this subject in current research.


Author(s):  
Jonathan Mathias Lassiter ◽  
Lourdes Dolores Follins ◽  
Stacy W. Smallwood ◽  
Leo Wilton ◽  
Alishia Alexander ◽  
...  

This chapter provides a comprehensive and nuanced review and critique of the extant scholarship related to Black sexual and gender minority (SGM) mental health in the United States. The authors highlight the determinants of mental health, the prevalence of mental health problems and inequities, and protective and resilience factors related to Black SGM mental health within five different subgroups: transgender people, intersex people, bisexual people, lesbians, and gay/same-gender-loving men. An intersectional approach is used to draw attention to how racial, gender, socioeconomic, and sexual orientation identities at the individual level influence experiences of oppression at the structural level to synergistically impact mental health. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the gaps in the literature related to Black SGM mental health and recommendations for addressing them.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Mojammel Hussain Raihan

Purpose The spread of novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has infected millions of people worldwide. Public health emergencies caused by COVID-19 affect not only people’s physical health but also mental health. This paper aims to summarize recent research findings on the mental health impact of COVID-19 experienced by the general adult population. Design/methodology/approach This paper used a systematic approach and aimed to review the literature on mental health problems faced by general adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. The PubMed database has been selected randomly from the Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Embase and PubMed databases. Ten journal articles published between January and July 2020 were selected from the PubMed database for the final review. Findings There is growing evidence that COVID-19 may be an objective risk factor for mental distress among the general adult population. More psychological and social support should be provided to protect adult people’s mental health. Practical implications This review will help policymakers develop mental health interventions for the general adult population vulnerable to psychological distress because of COVID-19 pandemic. Originality/value This paper is original and contributes to the existing knowledge that the mental health challenges of COVID-19 are widespread. There is, therefore, a need for more psychological interventions for adults, older adults, in particular, to promote mental health and reduce the distress associated with public health emergencies caused by COVID-19.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Bives Mutume-N.Vivalya ◽  
◽  
Okesina Akeem Ayodeji ◽  
Hilaire Muhindo Mutuka ◽  
Louis Kasereka Muyisa ◽  
...  

Social distancing triggers mental health problems worldwide. Limited preparedness and response structures to public health emergencies are associated with an increased disruption of mental health care services either in health-facilities or in the community during COVID-19. The community-based approach should be combined with online psychological interventions, peer group therapy, and systematic medical screening of mental disorders in primary health care settings. The public health officers should promptly act to fit the gap of mental health burden care in Africa and to avoid the related health and socioeconomic problems.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nermin Mahmoud Shaker ◽  
Noha Sabry ◽  
Muhammad Abdullatif Alkasaby ◽  
Menan Rabie

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic had a tremendous effect on people’s mental health. Healthcare workers were on the front lines in response to this crisis; therefore, they were among the most affected by the pandemic. The study aims to assess the stress perceived by healthcare workers and possible factors contributing to it, hoping that more efforts will be exerted to support the well-being of healthcare workers during public health emergencies. A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted. Data were collected from 118 healthcare professionals working with COVID-19 patients during the peak of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results Most of the respondents (75.2%) scored much higher stress levels than average, and 19.5% had slightly higher levels of stress. Most respondents were afraid of infecting their family and close ones (77.1 %), and about half of the respondents were afraid of getting infected (47.5%). Regression analysis revealed that the only significant independent variable predicting developing higher stress levels among the participants was assigning them to tasks outside their specialty. Conclusions Healthcare workers are at high risk of developing mental health problems during public health emergencies. Their well-being is essential for the quality of services they provide. More efforts are needed to ensure the well-being of healthcare workers and to prepare them for such emergencies. Preparing healthcare workers before redeployment through training and providing PPEs will help to reduce the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their physical and mental health.


Author(s):  
Marie-Helen Maras ◽  
Michelle D. Miranda

AbstractIn the fall of 2014, the US was faced with the reality that a deadly, foreign virus had entered its borders. Ebola, a disease thought to be of little threat to the US yet classified as a major bioterrorism agent, became a reality for the American government and its citizens. The introduction of Ebola unveiled many deficiencies in the country’s health care system, international travel policies, and ability to control or restrict the movement of exposed individuals in order to protect the larger population. The need to review and establish legal guidelines and policies to deal with these deficiencies is paramount: the inherent lack of training and education; weaknesses in monitoring, maintenance, and treatment; and the lack of uniform guidelines to isolate international travelers have all demonstrated that the country may not be able to control a larger-scale threat in the future.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110183
Author(s):  
Azza Sarfraz ◽  
Zouina Sarfraz ◽  
Alanna Barrios ◽  
Kuchalambal Agadi ◽  
Sindhu Thevuthasan ◽  
...  

Background: Health disparities have become apparent since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. When observing racial discrimination in healthcare, self-reported incidences, and perceptions among minority groups in the United States suggest that, the most socioeconomically underrepresented groups will suffer disproportionately in COVID-19 due to synergistic mechanisms. This study reports racially-stratified data regarding the experiences and impacts of different groups availing the healthcare system to identify disparities in outcomes of minority and majority groups in the United States. Methods: Studies were identified utilizing PubMed, Embase, CINAHL Plus, and PsycINFO search engines without date and language restrictions. The following keywords were used: Healthcare, raci*, ethnic*, discriminant, hosti*, harass*, insur*, education, income, psychiat*, COVID-19, incidence, mortality, mechanical ventilation. Statistical analysis was conducted in Review Manager (RevMan V.5.4). Unadjusted Odds Ratios, P-values, and 95% confidence intervals were presented. Results: Discrimination in the United States is evident among racial groups regarding medical care portraying mental risk behaviors as having serious outcomes in the health of minority groups. The perceived health inequity had a low association to the majority group as compared to the minority group (OR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.22 to 0.78; P = .007), and the association of mental health problems to the Caucasian-American majority group was low (OR = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.45 to 0.58; P < .001). Conclusion: As the pandemic continues into its next stage, efforts should be taken to address the gaps in clinical training and education, and medical practice to avoid the recurring patterns of racial health disparities that become especially prominent in community health emergencies. A standardized tool to assess racial discrimination and inequity will potentially improve pandemic healthcare delivery.


2021 ◽  
pp. 108705472110036
Author(s):  
Matthew Bisset ◽  
Leanne Winter ◽  
Christel M. Middeldorp ◽  
David Coghill ◽  
Nardia Zendarski ◽  
...  

Objective: This review aimed to understand the broader community’s attitudes toward ADHD, which could facilitate public health interventions to improve outcomes for individuals with ADHD. Methods: A standardized protocol identified peer-reviewed studies focusing on attitudes of broader community samples, published from January 2014 to February 2020 (inclusive). Results: A total of 1,318 articles were screened and 10 studies were included, examining attitudes of broader community samples from Australia, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Korea, Indonesia, and the United States. Findings revealed that broader community samples displayed varying degrees of ADHD-related knowledge, negative attitudes (that ADHD is over-diagnosed; that pharmacological treatment is not acceptable; that those with ADHD are more likely to exhibit poor behavior), and a desire for maintaining social distance from individuals with ADHD. Conclusion: Findings suggest that community attitudes are generally negative toward those with ADHD. Targeted mental health literacy could provide an important avenue for improving the broader community’s attitudes toward those with ADHD.


2021 ◽  
pp. 216769682110004
Author(s):  
Ayanda Chakawa ◽  
Steven K. Shapiro

While 75% mental health problems emerge by young adulthood, there is a strong reluctance during this developmental stage to seek professional help. Although limitations in mental health literacy, such as incorrect problem recognition, may hinder professional help-seeking intentions, the relationship between these variables has been understudied among young adults in the United States (U.S.) and racial/ethnic differences in help-seeking intentions for specific disorders have not been well explored. Using a vignette-based design, the current study examines the association between psychological disorder recognition and professional help-seeking intentions among 1,585 Black/African American and White/European American young adults. Correctly identifying a psychological disorder was significantly associated with intentions to seek professional help for several disorders and race/ethnicity significantly influenced intentions to seek professional help for some disorders. Implications for ways to address unmet mental health care needs, especially among racially/ethnically diverse young adults, and directions for future research are discussed.


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
V. Kovess ◽  
R. de Graaf ◽  
J.M. Haro ◽  
R. Bruffaerts ◽  
F. Gilbert ◽  
...  

Objective:To complete missing information on the influence of spiritual and religious advisors as informal providers for mental health problems in Europe.Methods:Recourse to religious practice or belief when coping with mental health problems was evaluated using data from the ESEMED survey. This was a stratified, multistage, clustered-area probability sample survey of mental health carried out in six European countries which included 8796 subjects. Between countries differences in sociodemographic characteristics, religious affiliation, and prevalence of mental disorders and management of mental disorders were evaluated.Results:Religion appears to play a limited role in coping with mental health problems in Europe. Only 7.9% of individuals seeking help for such problems turned to a religious advisor. This proportion differed between countries from 13% in Italy, 12.5% in Germany, 10.5% in the Netherlands, 5.8% in France, 4.7% in Belgium to 4% in Spain. In addition, seeking help exclusively from religion was reported by only 1.3% of subjects. Practicing religion at least once a week and considering religion as important in daily life were predictors of using religion versus conventional health care only. Use of religion was not influenced by gender and age. Non-Christian respondents and individuals with alcohol disorders were more likely to use religion. In Spain, the use of religion is much lower than average.Conclusions:Unlike the situation in the United States, organised religion does not provide alternative informal mental health care in Europe. At best, it could be considered as an adjunct to conventional care.


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